Joseph m



(No'Mode'L) V l w J. MORRISON.

Aging Liquors. v No; 229,269. Patented Jun 29, 1880.

I Witnesses: Inventor:

m H I I v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. MORRISON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

AGING LIQUOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 229,269, dated June 29, 1880.

Application filedApril 10, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPH M. MORRISON, of the city of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Process and Apparatus for Imparting the Qualities of Age to Spirituous Liquors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in process and apparatus for accelerating the changed condition of spirituous liquors, which, WllllOLlt artificial aid, is brought about by the lapse of time and it consists in the application of heat, independent agitation, and a volume of air within a body of spirituous liquor to be treated, contained in a barrel or other receptacle previously charred upon its inner surface.

spirituous liquors, when first manufactured, contain a certain deleterious element called fusel-oil. To qualify the liquor for use by accelerating the laws of age a large portion of this oil must be eliminated by heat, and the liquor otherwise improved by the aid of oxygen and independent agitation. To accomplish these results by the gradual evolution produced by time and the ordinary conditions of temperature and atmosphere a lapse of years is necessary.

It is known that fusel-oil is vaporized at a temperature of 110 Fahrenheit, and that agitation and oxygenation are most potent agencies in accelerating the aging of spirituous liquors.

By my process in the application of heat, raising the temperature of the spirits above 110 Fahrenheit, the maintenance of a sufficient opening to admit of the egress of the vaporized fusel-oil and other deleterious qualities, and the introduction of air which contains twenty-three parts of oxygen into the liquor near the bottom of the package, the escape of which through the body of the liquor, besides its oxygenizing values, causes a very marked independent agitation, these conditions of aging are all complied with. My invention is intended to secure these results in a a preeminent degree.

In this drawing, the two metallic tubes at and b (made preferably of copper) are bent into a shape resembling the letter S, are fast ened together laterally, and connected at the lower ends, the two thus forming acontinuous conduit, the upper ends being bent in opposite directions and having a thread out upon the outer surface of each for the reception of a'valve or other connection. This is the form and construction of the pipes which I prefer; but any other suitable device might be employed for the purpose, since it is obvious that my invention does not reside in the shape of the pipes; indeed, L-pipes might be used.

The cross bung-block c is secured to the double tube a b at a point which will suspend the apparatus in the barrel, leaving a small space between the lower arm and the bottom of the barrel, and, being inserted in the bunghole, holds the apparatus firmly in position, at the same time that it gives ample opportunity for the escape of the deleterious substances vaporized by the application of heat, and for the insertion of a thermometer to determine the temperature of the liquor under treatment.

The air-tube d is attached to the heating apparatus, either temporarily or permanently, in such manner as to be supported thereby, with its lower extremity inserted in the body of the liquor, and is connected with a holder, or, preferably, with a self-acting bellows, by the operation of which a current of air is injected through the tube into the liquor; forcing its way through which, it causes quite a pronounced independent agitation, imparts a portion of its oxygen to the spirits, and passes out the opening of the cross bung-block c,carrying in its current from the containing-ms sel the vaporized fusel-oil and other deleterious vapors. The air-tubeis moderatelyheated by its proximity to the heating-pipes, and by its contact with the liquor, so that air need not enter the liquor quite cold.

- The handle or bail e is constructed of nonconducting material, and is attached to the arms of the apparatus, the manipulation of the apparatus being thereby greatly facilitated and the operator relieved from the danger of injury in consequence of handling the heated metal of the appliance.

In operating my invention the heating element (hot Water, hot air, or steam, the latter being preferred) is introduced into the tube a, passes through the double tube to b, imparting thereto (and thereby tothe liquor contained in the package) its heat, and is exhausted through the opening in the upper end of the tube 1). This is continued until the temperature of the liquor under treatment has been raised above 110 Fahrenheit, air being at the same time forced into the package through the air-tube d.

When the required temperature has been secured and maintained for the desired period of time the apparatus is removed and the liquor permitted to cool, When the operation may be repeated, this treatment being continued until 1 the requisite improvement is obtained.

I am aware that the device for aging spirits by introducing heat into the body of the liquor is very old, there being, of course, incidental agitation from the convective currents, and this I do not claim; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The process herein described of imparting the qualities of age to spirituous liquors, which consists in applying heat within the body of the liquor under treatment, and atthe same time mechanically and independently agitating the same internally, the liquor being contained in a charred barrel or package, substantially as specified.

2. The process herein described of imparting the qualities of age to spirituous liquors, which consists in applying heat Within the body of the liquor undergoing treatment, and at the same time mechanically and independently agitating the liquor by forcing air into the body of the same, the liquor being contained in a charred barrel or similar receptacle, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the metallic heating tube or tubes, the air-tube, and the barrel or similar receptacle charred upon its inner surface, as and for the purpose described.

4. The combination of the heating tube or tubes, cross bung-block, serving as its support and to leave space for the escape of vapors, and the air-tube, as described.

5. The combination of the bung-block with one or more heating-tubes and a suitable bail or handle, as described.-

6. The combination of the heating tube or tubes, the air-tube, and the bung-block supporting both, as set forth.

7. The combination of the heating tube or tubes, the air-tube, the bung-block, and a bellows or holder for supplying air through the air-tube to the liquor, as specified.

JOS. M. MORRISON,

Witnesses D. RITTENHOUSE, J. S. LAROOMBE. 

